Beattie passes Tyne Tees test with flying colours

Published:12:23Thursday 23 April 2015

Share this article

Hawick Cycling Club’s David Beattie aquitted himself well in round one of the Tyne Tees Road Race League, near Ponteland, earlier this month.

Fifty riders took to the start for the 55-mile six-lap first race, staged near Belsay, in which Beattie kept himself near the front and out of trouble waiting for any early attacks. As the race entered the last lap, David tried to get off the front of the bunch but couldn’t get away and finished very strongly in a bunch sprint, in 15th position.

Day two saw 45 riders saddle up for a tough 58-mile eight-lap race over some very hilly roads around Northumberland, near Scots Gap. As with the first event, the peloton prevented any riders escaping, so David had to sit tight and bide his time.

When the race started the last lap a small group managed to slip away, but they were brought back near the finish and in the bunch sprint Beattie came home 14th for another good showing. His overall combined position after the two days was a very creditable 16th.

Round two of the club’s time-trial season was another ten-mile event on the A7 course from Volunteer Park. Eleven club riders completed the course, with the in-form David Beattie taking first place in 23 minutes 13 seconds, knocking a couple of seconds off his first outing.

Second was Shaun Ingles who broke the 25-minute barrier for the first time, in 24.59. Third was club tri-athlete Steven Walker with a fine time of 25.46.